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A seven-year-old ‘warrior’ who won the hearts of the nation with her brave fight against cancer died – 14 months after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor after a checkup at the optician.
Adorable Edie Jackson of Waltham Abbey, Essex, was just six when she and her mother Lois, 39, father Craig, 40, and older brother Charlie, 10, suffered a devastating blow in November 2019.
She was diagnosed with a high-grade Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). The cancerous tumor is the deadliest form of childhood cancer, with an average survival prognosis of only eight to 12 months.
Edie underwent an intense 13-day course of radiation therapy to shrink the tumor, but that type almost always starts to grow again in a few months.
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The lovely Edie Jackson of Waltham Abbey, Essex, won the hearts of the nation with her courageous fight against cancer. She now tragically died
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Edie was only six when she and her mother Lois, 39, father Craig, 40, and older brother Charlie, 10, suffered a devastating blow in November 2019
Edie’s plight won the hearts of celebrities, including Made In Chelsea star Nicola Hughes and TOWIE’S Amber Dowding, who got involved in fundraising to send Edie to New York last March for expensive clinical trials.
But despite raising nearly £ 300,000 in GoFundMe and Edie being able to undergo intense targeted chemotherapy in the United States, the young woman lost her battle with cancer yesterday.
Edie’s aunt Emmie Adams announced the news on Edie’s Fight’s Facebook page this morning. She wrote: ‘It is with an indescribable sadness and a deep sense of pride that we wrote to tell you that Edie, our Warrior Princess and the bravest girl we know, passed away, surrounded by her loving family at 5:30 pm yesterday.
‘We are sad because she is no longer with us, although our seven years of beautiful memories of her will always live, but also proud of the life she led and the legacy she left.
‘Edie brought the most incredible community together around a cause that you all cherished so much and we want to thank you all for the support and strength you showed us – we couldn’t have done it without you.
– Edie is seven years old forever. She will never be forgotten and leaves the biggest warrior-shaped hole of all our lives.
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‘It will take us some time to start processing this devastating news and we will update preparations for a celebration of your life in the coming days. Sadness leaves a pain in the heart that no one can heal, love leaves a memory that no one can steal.
Craig previously told how they made an appointment for Edie at the optician in November 2019, when she started having double vision and her left eye started to turn inward, causing her to develop a squint.
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The proud family initially opposed a fundraiser, but were surprised by the response
From there, the optician referred the family to the general practitioner and sent a letter requesting that Edie be seen urgently by a specialist.
‘We were immediately very nervous to see the word’ urgent ‘in the optician’s referral letter, so we made an appointment at the Moorfields Eye Hospital on November 25,’ Craig recalled.
‘From there, we were sent the same day to Harlow Princess Alexandra Hospital for an MRI scan, the results of which were sent to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Within hours, we were told that Edie had a brain tumor.
‘After the scans were reviewed, we were transferred to GOSH and the worst possible news was confirmed – not only did Edie have a brain tumor, it was an aggressive one called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) in a part of the brain stem called the bridge.
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Edie’s aunt Emmie Adams announced the news of her death on Edie’s Fight’s Facebook page this morning
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The family plans to publish a petition for additional funding and research from the DIPG and will need 100,000 signatures to be considered by the petitions committee for debate in Parliament. In the photo: Edie with mom Lois and brother Charlie
‘The bridge controls essential bodily functions, such as heartbeat, breathing, swallowing, eye movement, vision and balance.’
Since the bridge is located in the center of the brain, a surgeon could not reach the tumor without damaging the surrounding parts of the brain. Even if the tumor could be accessed, complete removal would be impossible.
Edie started radiation therapy on December 2, while her parents started researching specialists around the world who are working to find an effective treatment strategy for DIPG.
Craig said his daughter was an ‘absolute star’ and remained very brave and strong throughout the ordeal.
The proud family initially opposed a fundraiser, but were surprised by the response.
“The harsh reality is that disease and illness do not discriminate and, although we would exchange everything we have to make Edie look good, we will need help,” Craig said at the time.
“We could never be prepared for that. Lois’ work situation will have to change and life has been turned upside down. But the response and generosity we have received so far is impressive and we are very grateful. ‘
The Edie’s Fight Facebook page brought together almost 6,000 members – and dozens of people have already paid tribute to Edie.
Sally Holloway commented: ‘RIP, beautiful and courageous princess Edie. You were an inspiration and a fighter that will never be forgotten.
‘My heart and thoughts go to Edie’s incredibly incredible, courageous and strong family, who did everything in their power to help Edie try to fight it.’
Lyn Long wrote: ‘One of the bravest little girls I know who fought the most. Sweet dreams, Warrior Princess. ‘
And Lesley Reynolds posted: ‘My heart is with you all, thinking of you all. Brave RIP Edie beautiful, heaven won the most beautiful and brave girl, sweet dreams. ‘
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